The essential roles libraries play in education have been highlighted as crucial guides in knowledge and champions of literacy in an age where information is plentiful yet often overwhelming. Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), emphasized this during a historic event where he personally inaugurated the Committee of College Librarians in Nigeria (COCLIN) Executives. This marked a significant occasion, reflecting the vital importance of librarians and libraries in education. The event, held at the NCCE Early Grade Reading (EGR) Library on August 15, 2024, was aimed at formally launching the Committee's operations following their election.

Professor Okwelle remarked on the crucial roles' libraries play in educational settings, stating, ''As librarians in colleges of education, your role extends beyond the library walls. You are educators, mentors, and advocates, equipping students and schools with the tools necessary for success.'' He also stressed the need for librarians to adapt to evolving needs within the college community, embracing new technologies and methodologies to improve the learning experience. ''I urge you to remain dedicated to your core values of access, inclusivity, and collaboration, which will foster a user-centered library environment supporting the academic and professional growth of our students,'' Professor Okwelle said. He expressed the NCCE's readiness to support the new COCLIN Executives, working together towards a shared vision of educational excellence. In an interview with the NCCE press team, COCLIN Chairman Dr. Ainoko Samson praised Professor Okwelle for his proactive support and dedication, attributing past successes to his commitment to assisting college librarians. Dr. Ainoko stated, ''This gesture from the Executive Secretary inspired the new executives to honor him to conduct our formal inauguration.'' He highlighted the pivotal role of libraries in institutions, asserting that without them, colleges of education would struggle to provide their services. ''We will strive to ensure that students, as well as academic and non-academic staff, fully benefit from library resources for effective functioning and successful research,'' he said. Dr. Ainoko also outlined plans to build on the already existing virtual library to enhance global access to information resources, to meet up with current trends. The event concluded with the official inauguration of the COCLIN Executives, by Professor Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle.